Mountainbiking Association of Dublin

This Sunday sees the first Cyclocross race of the season to take place down south, promoted by TeamWORC, in an excellent location just off the N7 at Newland’s Cross - it’s even within cycling distance for most of you folks! Race HQ is just beside the Camac Valley Caravan Park.
Racing will get underway at 12 for underage Senior races will follow.
Don’t worry if you haven’t got a ‘Cross bike, MTBs can compete in the same race as the ‘Crossers, in a sub-category.
This venue was used for the 2006 National Champs and is a fantastic course, fast, flowy and because of it’s location in a park, attracts loads of casual spectators. It was like riding in an arena in one of the sections last year, such was the spectator support.
Even if you don’t have an interest in racing, come out and cheer everyone on.

For anybody who doesn’t yet know, Cyclocross is THE best of all the cycling disciplines, requiring the speed and power of Road riding with the finesse and skills of Mountainbiking. What makes it so exciting for ALL participants is that, no matter where you are in the race, there’s always loads of others around to race with.

Here’s a video which captures the essence of it, one of the best videos I’ve seen. It’s a full Grand Prix race from a few weeks ago.

Sean
Email

Hey all.

Geoff will be taking a spin on Saturday morning at 10am at the Yellow House in Rathfarnham. 3rock, wocca woccas and who knows where else! Any queries, contact Geoff.

I will be out for some major boozing on Saturday night so I’ll be going for a spin at 11am. It will be local enough but I’m open to suggestions! Any queries/suggestions then contact me.

Nigel
087 9335403
poloholemint@gmail.com

Well folks,

Now that most of us have the weekend mud cleaned off the bikes and ourselves, its time to get back out and destroy ourselves again with some suitably muddy sillyness. We’ll head up to ticknock/3 rock as its close enough, and trash ourselves on fairy castle, daggets, club course, no dabs and the boneshaker.

Meeting at 7:30 at the entrance to ticknock woods, (i’ll pass by the yellow house at 7 for anyone else cycling up). Bring your speedy legs and we’ll try setting a decent pace as its too cold to be hanging out too much at the moment.

Next week i feel a night ride out in slade would be a good option (mainly cos i ain’t been out there in the dark yet). We may even get to meet the people randomly ditching micras/sofas etc. But i hope not …

Paddy (086 6087046)

Hi folks,

As promised, we will have some sample sizes of the new MAD winter gear (though not in the MAD colour scheme!)
The plan is that those of you who have asked to be able to try on sizes will be able to do so in Ballinatoe at this week’s Sunday Spin. Mick has very generously offered to facilitate this.
It is very important that you both:
(a)Wear your own clothes under the trial gear, and
(b)Try the stuff on BEFORE the spin starts, so you’re not dirty, sweaty etc.

For those of you who cannot make the Sunday spin and really need to try a size on, we can try to facilitate you early next week.

I will send out individual mails tonight so you can all remember what you have ordered.
I need you to email me on Monday/Tuesday confirming your order and size.

For anybody who has not yet ordered and wishes to do so (we strongly recommend you do!) there is still time!
All you need to do is send me an email NOW to get your order in.

I will send out final confirmation mails next week, at which point we will start collecting money. Details of this will follow.

Sean
Mail me!

Hey people!

Saturday - Meeting at the Yellow at 10am. We’re going to head up towards 3 rock probably at a nice easy pace. Everybody is welcome!

Sunday is a little bit more tricky to organise because of the Mad Lash on saturday night, so I need you folks to help me out! I think a trip to Ballinastoe is in order but we need to organise transport for everyone who wants to go. It would be great if you could offer a lift and i’m sure your passenger(s) will provide you with some sweets! What i need everyone to do is email me and tell me if you need a lift, and most importantly if you can offer a lift. We will be meeting in Ballinastoe Carpark at 1130 - it takes about 40 mins to get there from the Yellow House. Lifts are first come, first served! (can i have a lift please ? )

Directions to Ballinastoe, approaching from the M50:
* Continue along the M50 until it merges with the M11
* Follow the M/N11 for about 5 miles and take the turn off for Roundwood/ Glendalough (R755) * Follow the R755 for about 5 miles until you come to a crossroads at Djouce Golf Club
* Turn right and then turn left at the end of this road
* The forest entrance is about 200 meters on the right

Nigel 087 9335403
poloholemint@gmail.com

*EDIT*

Sorry, i forgot to mention that beginners are welcome on Sunday for the trip to Ballinastoe as well! The Blast track is well worth the trip! So, again email me if you need a lift or can offer a lift.

Sean has the following info for those of you who may be interested in the 1st Cyclocross race of the season:

Apollo Cycling Team promote the first cyclo cross of the 2006-07 season with a race at Lurgan Park, Co. Armagh this Sunday. Sign on and changing is at Waves Leisure Centre, Robert Street, Lurgan. Sign on from 10.30am with underage racing at 12noon. The main event starts at 1pm with racing for Seniors, juniors, ladies and vets. Please contact Allister on (028) 38327834 for more info. Last years race provided some fast, exciting racing on a very fast course with very little running. Mtb’s can also compete.

If you are interested in the Cyclocross then please contact Sean (woohoo.downey gmail DOT com - edit the address so it works!)

Nigel
087 9335 403

MAD are having a get-together in town for a few drinks on Saturday 7th Oct
– all (except underage*) are welcome along, especially the beginners!

Dress-sense: Casual non-lycra
Time: Meet between 8:30 and 9 until the end of time……
Location: The Duke on Duke St.

It’ll be fun to see what we all look like without helmets & mucky faces…..

* We’re hoping to have something more suitable for absolutely everyone
after the club AGM, date of which to follow

Saturday 30th
You’ve got 2 delightful options on Saturday,
1) The 5th Introductory Spin in Slade Valley with myself, Morgan, Judith and maybe more, depending on Mick getting out of bed…….meet at 10am out there.

2)For the non-beginners, Steve is going off into the wilderness on an epic adventure where you’ll encounter exotic wildlife, vast terrain and meet the natives. Alternatively he might just fly around somewhere local, who knows………..Meet him at the Yellow House at 10am to find out…..

Sunday 1st October
A return to the big Sunday spins, we’ll rerun the one we did to Djouce a few weeks ago. Minimum of stopping and faffing about, we might even tempt back some IMBRC heads for a return visit. Bring your fit and fast legs and enough to be self-sufficient.
Meet at the YH at 10am.

Happy biking,
Sean

Over the past month we’ve had nearly 40 riders of all ages and abilities come along on our beginners rides. It’s great to see so many people improve their confidence, skill and abilities in a short space of time. The final one takes place this Saturday in Slade Valley, location of the MAD Dash earlier this year. We’ll be mostly riding woodland singletrack with a few short climbs and some challenges for the brave. There will be a demonstration of how to keep your gears in tune too. We’d like everyone to come along (whether you’ve been on the other spins or not) for this final outing. We’ll meet at the Slade Valley car park and start the ride at 10am.

Map and Directions

Due to the Marathon Champs, this weeks beginners spin will take place on Sunday. I expect anyone who rode the marathon to be going v e r y s l o w l y . . .

We’ll be riding in the MTB Mecca that is Three Rock, taking in Fairy Castle, The MAD Club Course, the Boneshaker and more! Meet at the Ticknock lower car park at 10am. We’ll also take some time to show you how to fix a bike chain.

Map link

Cúchulainn C.C. presents Irelands second ever MTB Marathon Champs in Carlingford Co. Louth this Saturday (23rd September 2006). This 50km race begins and ends in Carlingford Village and will bring you up, over, around and down the mountains by Carlingford Lough (route map). Changing and shower facilities will be available at the start. This will be a great day out whether you’re racing or taking your time.

Contact: Johnny McCabe 087-8105919
Aidan McDonald 087-6262998

Sign on: 9am, Foy Community Centre, Carlingford
Entry: €20
Mass start: 11am

Race licences are required, day licences will be available.

Overnight accommodation is also available
Carlingford Beds, Dundalk Street, Carlingford, Co. Louth.
Telephone: +353 (0) 42 93 83624, Email: info@carlingfordbeds.com

Cúchulainn C.C. website